It's been a long road to kicking a ball again for the striker known as the Bear. Picture: MATTHEW USHER

The former King’s Lynn Town and Lowestoft Town striker had made the decision to hang up his boots earlier this year after breaking his leg towards the end of the 2012/13 season with the Trawlerboys.

However, after gently feeling his way back into the game in a five-a-side league with his friends, he has decided to lace up his boots for the Pedlars in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division next season.

It seems Defty, one of the local leagues’ most lethal strikers of the last 10 years, hasn’t lost his touch in front of goal, notching a brace against Horsford in a friendly last weekend.

“I’m just seeing how it goes at the moment,” said Defty, nicknamed ‘Bear’ during his time at Lowestoft on account of the way he would use his burly frame to hold off defenders.

“I started playing a bit of five-a-side recently and I got on okay with that – the leg didn’t feel too bad.

“I got a couple of goals at the weekend and I’m just trying to get a bit of fitness back at the moment.”

Defty fractured his tibia playing for Lowestoft in a Ryman League Premier game against Bury Town in April 2013 after a seemingly innocuous challenge with Tom Bullard.

It was arguably the moment Lowestoft’s promotion challenge that season ultimately faltered and the Trawlerboys struggled to replace a striker, who had become the fulcrum of their side. It was a problem the Blues would eventually overcome thanks in large part to the signing of Jake Reed but whilst Lowestoft continued their rise, Defty admitted defeat in his comeback bid.

However, the 33-year-old has decided to give it one more go although has told Swaffham boss, Paul Hunt, he won’t be taking any chances with his long term health.

“I’ve told Paul Hunt that if the leg starts to give me any grief then I will stop straight away,” said Defty, who admitted his wife was “sceptical” of his comeback. “I just decided to give it another go when a few of the lads said come down and train – it’s a really good club.

“It’s still sore after playing but it’s nice to be in a position where I can have a game.”